Car construction



June v13, 1944. HQJ. LouNsBURY CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed July 9. 1941 '2 sheets-sheet 2 Invenor Jian/gg Ilowzsbufg Patented June 13, 1944 CAR CONSTRUCTION Harvey J. Lounsbury, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application July 9, 1941, Serial No. 401,553

2 Claims. (Cl. 105-200) This invention relates to improvements in car construction.

One object of the invention is to provide a locking center pin for body and truck bolsters of railway cars provided with center pin receiving openings and annular retaining shoulders adjacent the openings respectively, the center pin proper being composed of three outer sections and a central ller element adapted to be applied either fIOm above the body bolster or from underneath the truck bolster.

A further object of the `invention is to provide a center pin of the character set forth in the preceding paragraph, wherein simple, eflicient, and reliable means are employed for locking together the ller element and the outer sections of the pin to prevent removal of the latter from the bolsters.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinmy improvements in connection therewith. Fig- As will be evident, the annular flanges I6 and I8 provide vertically alined circular openings. These openings are of such a size as to accommodate the shank portion ofthe center pin.

The truck bolster II, which is also preferably a casting, has top and bottom walls 20 and 2l ure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the body and truck bolsters of the car, corresponding substantially to the line 2--2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a horizontal, transverse sectional view of the center pin only, corresponding substantially to the line 3 3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the pin as shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the ller element of the center pin. Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of one 0f the outer sections of my im- A.,

proved center pin. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the pin in position applied` from abovethe vbody bolster. Figure 8 is a top plan view of Figure 7.

In said drawings, I l) indicates the body bolster of is of the cast type and has diaphragm sections I2-I 2, top and bottom walls I3--I 4, and a center section I5 to accommodate the pin. The section I5 is of cylindrical, tubular form, as shown, and

has an internal, inwardly projecting, horizontal, annular liange I 6 between the top and bottom ends thereof, thereby providing a pocket I'I at the top of the bolster adapted to accommodate the head at the upper end of the pin. Below thel 4,0 the car and I I the truck bolster. The body bolster connected by transverse, vertically disposed walls 22-2 2. The bolster II is also provided with reinforcing webs 23 connecting the walls 20 and 22. The spaced walls 22 dene a pocket 24 therebetween which serves to accommodate the bottom head of the center pin. The top wall 20 of the bolster I I is provided with a center pin receiving opening 25 of the same size as, and in vertical alinement with, the openings at the anges IS and I8 of the bolster I0. A bearing plate 26 and a ller block 21 are secured to the top of the bolster I I in a well known manner, not illustrated, the ller block being interposed between the plate 26 and the top surface of the upper wall of the bolster and having an opening therethrough registering with the opening 25. The plate 26 is also provided with an opening 28 dened by an upstanding, hollow, annular ange 29 which projects into and is accommodated within the pocket I9 at the bottom end of the section I5 of the bolster IIJ. The opening 28 is in axial alinement with the opening dened by the iianges I6 and I8 of the body bolster, the opening of the block 21, and the opening 25 of the truck bolster. All of these openings are of the same diameter and of slightly greater size than the diameter of the pin.

My improved locking center pin, as shown, comprises broadly three outer members A-A-A and a ller element B having three radial wings fitting respectively between said outer members.

The outer members A-A-A, which are three in number, are arranged symmetrically about the vertical central axis of the pin. Each outer member is of sector-shaped cross section having laterally diverging inner side faces 3Il-30 and a transversely curved outer face 3|. Y At the top and bottom ends, each member is provided with relatively heavy, horizontally disposed, arcuate anges 32-32 which project laterally outwardly from the body of the member and form top and bottom head portions. The three sections A--A-A of the pin are all alike and when assembled define a sectional cylindrical pin having a shank of circular cross section and head members at opposite ends. The top ange 32 of each outer member is eccentric to the cylindrical outer face 3l, which defines a portion of the outer surface of the shank of the pin each flange 32 being of such a size that it will readily pass through spaced equal distances apart and merge at thel center of the pin to form a central shanklportion 34. These platelike sections ,are of such a'thickness that they fill the spaces between the outer members A-A--A to form with said outer members a complete pin of true cylindrical form.V At

the lower end, each wing 33 is laterally, outwardly enlarged to provide a retaining lug or head'35.` The-.ller element B isV of sucha` size that the vertical; outer" edges ofvr the wings 33--33-33 thereof arefiush'withtheouter sides of the members A-A-Aiwhen the parts of the pin are in completely assembled. condition.

Atlthe .lower end below the lugs 35 thereofvthe llerelem'ent B'is provided with a relatively narrow neck'portion 35' having at its outerend a flat, disc: like headv3l which is horizontally disposed. Thisdsc like head131 facilitates removal of the fl-ller1e1ernent`whenthe. same has been applied from above. the-.body bolster, as hereinafter explainedr Each sectionA ofithe pin; has a depending lug: 38T at the bottom end projectingfromthe bottomihead 32n thereof. The lug 38 is substantiallyll radial and'has its sidel face flush with one of thefside faces of the section A. Each lug138.is -providedrwith an openingY 39' extending therethrough which-is laterally elongated and L adapted: to receive a locking bolt All@ The perforatedlugofeach section A also serves as an eye to be engaged by a hook or similar'tool b`y whichf the section may be withdrawn from th'ecenter pin -openingsof the -bolsters.

As-sh'own in Figures 1 and 2'of the drawings the'- cent'erpin is in position as applied'from underneath the truck bolster; When thus appliedy the pin comprising the outer members A-A-AV and the ller element B, substantially fillsthepin'1eceiving"openings of the two bolsters l'and the flanges32e-32 atthe top andbottom ends of the outermembers form enlarged top and" bottom head' portions respectively, which hold thepin against'removal'from thebolsters. The' lller element BL is held againstA removal from between the sections A--A-A in a downwarddirection by the locking bolts lll-Jill which extend through the openings 39. in the lugs 38 'ofthe sections A andv have their heads-underlyy ing the lugs 35 of the filler element B. As will beseen .uponreferring toFigure 2, the lugs 38 are accommodated in the space between. the head 3ll and the lugs S5-'ofthe ller element B, andconsiderable clearance. is provided between -saidhead 3.1 1A and the lower extremities of these i In applying the center pinfrom beneath the vtruclrbols'tenthe. outersections A-A-A and the ller. elementfBf are disposed inthe `positions showninlligures and 6, that' is with the-secelementf'B' turned -so that theiend thereof which is provided with the lugs 35-35-35 and the head 3l is disposed at the bottom.

The three members A-A-A are rst inserted in the pin receiving openings of said bolsters by passing them one at a time and in succession into said openings, each member after having been inserted being displaced radially outwardly to bring the heads thereof in shouldered engagement with the bolsters before the next member is inserted, thus leaving suicient space for passage of the head of the latter. With the two outer members thus inserted and radially displaced and in side contact with each other, the space left, or clearance provided in said pin receiving openings, is just suflicient to permit passage therethrough of the head of the third or remaining member, After the three outer members have been inserted and each member displaced radially outwardly into shouldered engagement with the bolsters, the ller element B is appliedl by inserting the same into the pin receiving openings of the bolsters from beneath the truckbolster, and engaging thewings 33 33"--33 of said element between said outer members A-Ae-A.

The bolts 46B are then applied, being inserted throughthe openings" of the-lugs 3B of the section A so that-'thev headsfof said bolts underlie the lugs 35-35--357of the element B. As will be evident the lugs 35 ofy the element B rest upon the heads of the bolts 40 when the latter are inposition, thus preventing'removal ofthe iiller element from between the outer sections A--A-A.

In removing` the pin a'reverse'procedurek is followed, the lockingl bolts lllY being first removed to free the ller element B, the latter is removed by withdrawing the same from 4between the three outer members VA--A-A inidownward direction therebyv permitting' collapse of said members. In withdrawing the ller'elementthe head3'! is utilized asa grip. The samemay be removed by the attendant grasping the head .3l with his iin-gers or engaging the Vsame by a hook or similar removing'tool After'. the sections A--A-A' have` b'eenplaced in' condition to collapse'through removal. of. the ller element, the same arewithdrawn in succession, each member in eachinstance. being rst displaced radially. inwardlyv to -a -sufcient extent toclear the flange :i2-at the upper. end' thereof from shoulderedengagement withthe. body. bolster. In withdrawing theV sectionsA-A--A` a 'hook or similar. toolmay be employed, the same being engaged'witl'iin therperforated lugs-38 of said sections. Y y

As, hereinbefore stated. myV improved center pin may also be applied from abovethe body; bolster and Figures 7 and-S-showsuchan application of the pin. When-the pin is appliedffromabove the body bolster the sections: A A--Axand the llerA element B -arereversed 1 fromv .thepositions shown in Figures ;5"and;6, that isthey areso'arranged' that the ends ofthe sections A provided with the lugs 38' andthel end oftheV flllerelement B` having the head 3l are disposed at the top.

Inthis*app1ied position the lugs 3 5-351'-3 5Y of the' element B of the-assembledpinoverhangand rest upon the *shoulderVK provided byY the` flange IlS-of the section I5 ofthe body'bolster, thus preventing removal V'of the filler element indownthe sections A-A-A and the filler element B are applied from above instead of from below.

In removal of the pin from .above the truck bolster the head 31 of the filler element B and the lugs 38 of the sections A-A-A provide convenient grips for manipulating the parts. The order of removal of the parts of the pin is the same as hereinbefore stated in connection with the removal of the pin from underneath the truck bolster.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred Ina-nner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In car construction, the combination with body and truck bolsters having alined center pin receiving openings, each of said holsters being provided with an `annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof; of a sectional center pin including three similar outer sections shouldered at opposite ends and adapted to be entered through said openings, and a filler element comprising a central member and three radially extending wings, said wings being engaged between said outer sections to hold the latter spread apart with the shoulders thereof in overlapped relation with the annular shoulders of the bolsters, said outer sections having perforated protruding lugs at one set of ends thereof, the axis of perforation of each of said lugs being to one side of the longitudinal center line of the pin, said ller element having laterally extending lugs at one end thereof adjacent said perforated lugs of the outer sections spaced inwardly from the latter, and a disclike head projecting from said end of the iiller element; and retaining elements extending through the perforations of said lugs and into underlying relation with said laterally extending lugs of said filler element to be engaged by said last named lugs and support said ller element against removal.

2. In a center pin for connecting the body and truck bolsters of a railway car having alined center pin receiving openings, each of said holsters being provided with an annular shoulder adjacent the outer end of the opening thereof, said pin being substantially cylindrical and including three main outer members of sector shaped cross section having heads at opposite ends adapted to have shouldered engagement with the annular shoulders of the bolsters, and a spreader element including a central ller section and three radially projecting spacing wings, each wing being engaged between the sides of two adjacent outer members, each wing having an outwardly projecting lugv at one end of said spreader element, each of said outer members having a depending eye member on the corresponding end thereof alongside the corresponding lug of the spreader element with the opening of the eye outwardly of said lug, with the axis of said opening offset to one side of the longitudinal central axis of said pin, a retaining bolt engaged through the eye of at least one of said outer members with the head of said bolt in line with and supporting the adjacent lug of the spreader element to hold said spreader element against removal in lengthwise direction, and a disclike head on the same end of said spreading element which is provided with the lug, said head projecting outwardly beyond said Ilug in a direction lengthwise of the pin.

HARVEY J. LOUNSBURY. 

